Readers might remember that I’m getting around the $1,050 charge by offering to examine the documents in question in person.

So the media relations contact (who, by the way, is very nice and professional, despite her department’s odd policies) e-mails this gem: “It is our practice to have a city employee periodically monitor anyone reviewing our files, at a flat charge of $35 paid in advance.”

What halcyon days these are for open government.

For the record, I have spent weeks of my life in rooms reviewing public documents and have never once been accused of doing anything improper with them.

Would love to hear from others if they think this is proper, and any of their tales of odd open-records hurdles they’ve encountered.

Hi Mr. Plunkett My name is H. Thomas Colo from Massachusetts. At age 81 I have spent the last fffty years at various levels of local and state govenrment and active citizen particpaiton, 21 years as a locat town selecman [1960-1981]and 14 years in the massachusetts state legislature [1965-1978]. there is some humor in your predicament, but it is apparently legal in yur state even if it is sort of chicken bleep. Openness in governement is often hindered and smetime yoy have to go ith the flow to get the documents. As a toiwn offical in my own town, we had a serious police problem that needed to be cnfrnted. A former New York state police officer had been appointed Chief of Police in our town. He had a high degree of arrogance and serious conflicts developed. Under the provision of freedom of information and access to public reords I requested police telephone records for a two year period. They were facinatingly revealing. I had to pay hundreds of dollars but it was worth the penetrtation and putting a destabilizing “political thumb” in his eye. I was even threatened with Court action by the Chief to get the records back even though I had obtained them legally. For protection from “seizure” by unlawfull force, I carried “dummy papers” around with me as if they were the phone call records. the Chief finally left town, suing the town saying he had been forced out. It was worth the money, and I [with some degree of regret] actually enjoyed the politcal combat. Keep in mind this is Massachusetts. Go get them! Good luck. tomcolo@restorationcenter.com

H. Thomas Colo

Hi Mr. Plunkett My name is H. Thomas Colo from Massachusetts. At age 81 I have spent the last fffty years at various levels of local and state govenrment and active citizen particpaiton, 21 years as a locat town selecman [1960-1981]and 14 years in the massachusetts state legislature [1965-1978]. there is some humor in your predicament, but it is apparently legal in yur state even if it is sort of chicken bleep. Openness in governement is often hindered and smetime yoy have to go ith the flow to get the documents. As a toiwn offical in my own town, we had a serious police problem that needed to be cnfrnted. A former New York state police officer had been appointed Chief of Police in our town. He had a high degree of arrogance and serious conflicts developed. Under the provision of freedom of information and access to public reords I requested police telephone records for a two year period. They were facinatingly revealing. I had to pay hundreds of dollars but it was worth the penetrtation and putting a destabilizing “political thumb” in his eye. I was even threatened with Court action by the Chief to get the records back even though I had obtained them legally. For protection from “seizure” by unlawfull force, I carried “dummy papers” around with me as if they were the phone call records. the Chief finally left town, suing the town saying he had been forced out. It was worth the money, and I [with some degree of regret] actually enjoyed the politcal combat. Keep in mind this is Massachusetts. Go get them! Good luck. tomcolo@restorationcenter.com

H. Thomas Colo

Helo again from Massachusetts. My previous unedited error ridden posting went out to you in error instead of the present one. Dumb me!

• Hi Mr. Plunkett My name is H. Thomas Colo from Massachusetts. At age 81 I have spent the last fifty years at various levels of local and state government and active citizen participation, 21 years as a local town selectman [1960-1981] and 14 years in the Massachusetts state legislature [1965-1978]. There is some humor in your predicament, but it is apparently legal in your state even if it is sort of chicken bleep. Openness in government is often hindered and sometime you have to go with the flow to get the documents. As a town official in my own town, we had a serious police problem that needed to be confronted. A former New York state police officer had been appointed Chief of Police in our town. He had a high degree of arrogance and serious conflicts developed. Under the provision of freedom of information and access to public records I requested police telephone records for a two year period. They were fascinatingly revealing. I had to pay hundreds of dollars but it was worth the penetration and putting a destabilizing “political thumb” in his eye. I was even threatened with Court action by the Chief to get the records back even though I had obtained them legally. For protection from “seizure” by unlawful force, I carried “dummy papers” around with me as if they were the phone call records. The Chief finally left town, suing the town saying he had been forced out. It was worth the money, and I [with some degree of regret to admit] actually enjoyed the political combat. Keep in mind this is Massachusetts. Go get them! Good luck. tomcolo@restorationcenter.com

H. Thomas Colo

Helo again from Massachusetts. My previous unedited error ridden posting went out to you in error instead of the present one. Dumb me!

• Hi Mr. Plunkett My name is H. Thomas Colo from Massachusetts. At age 81 I have spent the last fifty years at various levels of local and state government and active citizen participation, 21 years as a local town selectman [1960-1981] and 14 years in the Massachusetts state legislature [1965-1978]. There is some humor in your predicament, but it is apparently legal in your state even if it is sort of chicken bleep. Openness in government is often hindered and sometime you have to go with the flow to get the documents. As a town official in my own town, we had a serious police problem that needed to be confronted. A former New York state police officer had been appointed Chief of Police in our town. He had a high degree of arrogance and serious conflicts developed. Under the provision of freedom of information and access to public records I requested police telephone records for a two year period. They were fascinatingly revealing. I had to pay hundreds of dollars but it was worth the penetration and putting a destabilizing “political thumb” in his eye. I was even threatened with Court action by the Chief to get the records back even though I had obtained them legally. For protection from “seizure” by unlawful force, I carried “dummy papers” around with me as if they were the phone call records. The Chief finally left town, suing the town saying he had been forced out. It was worth the money, and I [with some degree of regret to admit] actually enjoyed the political combat. Keep in mind this is Massachusetts. Go get them! Good luck. tomcolo@restorationcenter.com

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.